U.S. patent application number 10/720393 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for apparatus for controlling door of drum type washing machine and method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Je, Sang Man, Kang, Yu Beom, Kim, Gon.
Application Number | 20040107509 10/720393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32464452 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040107509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Gon ; et al. |
June 10, 2004 |
Apparatus for controlling door of drum type washing machine and
method thereof
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling a door of a drum type
washing machine and method thereof. The present invention allows
the door to be opened only if there exists no water in the washing
tub or if the water level in the tub is very low, by which water is
prevented from cascading out of the washing machine when a door is
opened. The present invention includes the steps of sensing a water
level in a washing tub, comparing the sensed water level to a
reference, and locking or unlocking the door according to a result
of the comparing step.
Inventors: |
Kim, Gon; (Jinhae-si,
KR) ; Kang, Yu Beom; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Je,
Sang Man; (Koje-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32464452 |
Appl. No.: |
10/720393 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ; 68/12.05;
68/12.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2105/44 20200201;
D06F 2103/44 20200201; D06F 2103/18 20200201; D06F 33/30
20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/158 ;
068/012.05; 068/012.26 |
International
Class: |
D06F 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2002 |
KR |
P2002-75037 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine, comprising: a water level sensor sensing a water level of
water held in a washing tub; a door lock locking/unlocking the
door; a control unit judging whether to open or close the door
according to the water level in the washing tub and controlling the
door lock according to the judgment; and a display unit displaying
whether to open or close the door to a user.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit
compares the water level in the washing tub to a reference to judge
whether to open the door.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein if the water level
in the washing tub is higher than the reference, the control unit
judges that it is impossible to open the door and wherein if the
water level in the washing tub is lower than the reference, the
control unit judges that the door can be opened.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a door
open button of inputting a command of the user intending to open
the door; and an alarming unit making an alarm sound if the control
unit judges not to open the door when the command is inputted.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit
further displays a lock/unlock status of the door.
6. A method of controlling a door of a drum type washing machine,
comprising the steps of: sensing a water level in a washing tub;
comparing the sensed water level to a reference; and locking or
unlocking the door according to a result of the comparing step.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the door is locked if
the sensed water level is higher than the reference and wherein the
door is unlocked if the sensed water level is lower than the
reference.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the step of
displaying a lock/unlock status of the door.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the step of
checking whether power is applied to the washing machine.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein if the power is not
applied, the door is locked and wherein if the power is applied, it
is checked whether the washing tub is rotating.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein if the washing tub
is rotating, the door is locked and wherein if the washing tub is
not rotating, the water level in the washing tub is sensed.
12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein if the power is not
applied, the door is locked and wherein if the power is applied,
the water level in the washing tub is sensed.
13. An apparatus for controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine, comprising: a motor sensor sensing a motor for driving a
washing tub; a water level sensor sensing a water level of water
held in the washing tub; a door lock locking/unlocking the door; a
control unit controlling the door lock to lock/unlock the door
according to the water level in the washing tub in case that a
user's command for opening the door is inputted to the washing
machine; and a display unit displaying a lock/unlock status of the
door.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control unit
compares the water level in the washing tub to a reference to
determine whether to open the door.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein if the water
level in the washing tub is higher than the reference, the control
unit locks the door and wherein if the water level in the washing
tub is lower than the reference, the control unit unlocks the
door.
16. A method of controlling a door of a drum type washing machine,
comprising the steps of: receiving a user's command for opening the
door; checking whether a power is applied to the washing machine;
unlocking the door if the power is not applied or checking whether
water exists in a washing tub if the power is applied; unlocking
the door if the water fails to exist in the washing tub or sensing
a water level in the washing tub if the water exists in the washing
tub; and locking or unlocking the door according to the sensed
water level.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sensed water
level is compared to a reference to determine whether to lock or
unlock the door.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the door is locked
if the sensed water level is higher than the reference and wherein
the door is unlocked if the sensed water level is lower than the
reference.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step
of displaying a lock/unlock status of the door.
20. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step
of checking checked whether the washing tub is rotating if the
power is applied.
21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein if the washing tub
is rotating, the door is locked and wherein if the washing tub is
not rotating, the water level in the washing tub is sensed.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. P 2002-75037 filed on Nov. 28, 2002, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a drum type washing
machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling a
door of a drum type washing machine and method thereof.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a drum type washing machine according to a
related art, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a washing tub 11 for
washing a laundry inside, a dewatering tub (not shown in the
drawing) outside the washing tub 11, a case 10 protecting the
washing tub 11 and to hold various driving equipments (not shown in
the drawing) for driving the washing tub 11, a door 20 provided on
a front side of the case 10 for putting the laundry in/out of the
washing tub 11, a detergent box 12 and a control unit 13 for an
operation and control of the washing machine provided in an upper
front part of the case 10.
[0006] The door 20 consists of a door body 21 hinge-coupled to an
opening 15 of the case 10 to open/close and a window 22 installed
at a central part of the door body 21 and formed of a transparent
material enabling an inside of the washing tub 11 to be seen
through the closed door body 21.
[0007] The drum type washing machine performs washing by rotating
the washing tub 11, which holds the water, detergent, and laundry
inside and has a plurality of protrusions provided inside, at low
speed centering on a horizontal axis using shock energy generated
from lifting the laundry to fall by the protrusions. Hence,
compared to a pulsator type washing machine performing washing
using a frictional force between the laundry and the water rotated
by a pulsator, the drum type washing machine almost prevents
entanglement and damage of the laundry as well as reduces its water
consumption.
[0008] Yet, the door 20 of the drum type washing machine is
installed on the front side of the case. If the door 20 is opened
before the washing machine operates, water in the washing tub 11
may flood out. In order to prevent such a problem, a door lock
assembly 30 and 30' determining open/close of the door 20 is
installed at contact areas of the door 20 and the case 10. When the
washing machine is not in use, the door 20 is always locked to
close the door 20.
[0009] The door lock function is automatically performed. In case
that power is cut off, the door is definitely performed so that the
door is not opened. Thus, in order to control the locking/unlocking
of the door, a door control equipment is needed.
[0010] In a door control equipment of a washing machine according
to a related art, a user firstly checks whether power is on or off.
If the power is off, the door lock function is maintained. If the
power is on, the door lock function is released to let the door
open. Hence, when the power is off, it is unable to open the door.
But, the door can be opened only if the power is on.
[0011] However, the related art door control equipment of the
washing machine allows the door to be opened when the power is on
even if the washing tub is filled with the water. Hence, the water
in the washing tub cascades out to cause inconvenience to the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
apparatus for controlling a door of a drum type washing machine and
method thereof that substantially obviates one or more of the
problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0013] An object of the present invention, which has been devised
to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing an apparatus for
controlling a door of a drum type washing machine and method
thereof, by which water is prevented from cascading out of the
washing machine when a door is opened.
[0014] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination
of the following or may be learned from a practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly
pointed out in the specification and claims hereof as well as in
the appended drawings.
[0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance
with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a door of a
drum type washing machine including a water level sensor sensing a
water level of water held in a washing tub, a door lock
locking/unlocking the door, a control unit judging whether to open
or close the door according to the water level in the washing tub
and controlling the door lock according to the judgment, and a
display unit displaying whether to open or close the door to a
user.
[0016] In this case, the control unit compares the water level in
the washing tub to a reference to judge whether to open the door.
If the water level in the washing tub is higher than the reference,
the control unit judges that it is impossible to open the door. If
the water level in the washing tub is lower than the reference, the
control unit judges that the door can be opened.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine including the steps of sensing a water level in a washing
tub, comparing the sensed water level to a reference, and locking
or unlocking the door according to a result of the comparing
step.
[0018] Moreover, the method further includes the step of checking
whether power is applied to the washing machine. If the power is
not applied, the door is locked. If the power is applied, it is
checked whether the washing tub is rotating. If the washing tub is
rotating, the door is locked. And, if the washing tub is not
rotating, the water level in the washing tub is sensed.
[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine including a motor sensor sensing a motor for driving a
washing tub, a water level sensor sensing a water level of water
held in the washing tub, a door lock locking/unlocking the door, a
control unit controlling the door lock to lock/unlock the door
according to the water level in the washing tub in case that a
user's command for opening the door is inputted to the washing
machine, and a display unit displaying a lock/unlock status of the
door.
[0020] In this case, the control unit compares the water level in
the washing tub to a reference to determine whether to open the
door. If the water level in the washing tub is higher than the
reference, the control unit locks the door. And, if the water level
in the washing tub is lower than the reference, the control unit
unlocks the door.
[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine including the steps of receiving a user's command for
opening the door, checking whether a power is applied to the
washing machine, unlocking the door if the power is not applied or
checking whether water exists in a washing tub if the power is
applied, unlocking the door if the water fails to exist in the
washing tub or sensing a water level in the washing tub if the
water exists in the washing tub, and locking or unlocking the door
according to the sensed water level.
[0022] In the step of locking or unlocking the door according to
the sensed water level, the door is locked if the sensed water
level is higher than the reference or the door is unlocked if the
sensed water level is lower than the reference.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing explanation
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application. illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine
according to a related art;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a
door of a drum type washing machine according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a door of a
drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a door of a
drum type washing machine according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiment(s) of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings,
like elements are indicated using the same or similar reference
designations where possible.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a
door of a drum type washing machine according to the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, an apparatus for controlling a door of
a drum type washing machine according to the present invention
includes a water level sensor 102 sensing a water level of water
held in a washing tub, a motor sensor 101 sensing a revolution
count of a motor 105 rotating the washing tub, a door open button
103 receiving a command of a user intending to open a door of the
washing machine, a door lock 106 locking/unlocking the door, and a
control unit 104 judging whether to open or close the door
according to the water level in the washing tub and controlling the
door lock 106 according to the judgment.
[0032] Moreover, the apparatus further includes a display unit 107
displaying the water level in the washing tub and whether to open
or close the door to the user and an alarming unit (not shown in
the drawing) making an alarm sound in case that the control unit
104 judges not to open the door when a user's command is inputted
to the control unit 104 through the door open button 103.
[0033] The control unit 104 compares the water level in the washing
tub to a reference to judge whether to open the door. In this case,
if the water level in the washing tub is higher than the reference,
the control unit judges that it is impossible to open the door. If
the water level in the washing tub is lower than the reference, the
control unit judges that the door can be opened.
[0034] A method of controlling a door of a drum type washing
machine according to the present invention is explained as
follows.
[0035] First Embodiment
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a door of a
drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, once a user inputs a user's command for
opening the door of the drum type washing machine to the control
unit 104 through the door open button 103 (S301), the control unit
104 checks whether power of the washing machine is on or off
(S302). While the power is not applied to the washing machine, the
door is not opened by the door open button 103. Hence, the user
intending to open the door should check whether the power is
applied to the washing machine or not.
[0038] If the power is off, the control unit 104 locks the door or
leaves the door locked when the door has been already locked
(S303). If the power is on, the control unit 104 checks whether
water is held in the washing tub using the water level sensor 102
(S304). If there exists no water in the washing tub, the control
unit 104 unlocks the door to open since there is no possibility of
flooding water (S307). If there exists water in the washing tub,
the control unit 104 controls the water level sensor 102 to sense
the corresponding water level (S305).
[0039] Thereafter, the control unit 104 compares the sensed water
level to a reference set previously (S306). If the sensed water
level is lower than the reference, the control unit 104 judges that
the door can be opened and then unlocks the door to open (S307). In
this case, in order not to flood the water in the tub outside, the
reference is set as a height of the lowest end of the entrance of
the laundry.
[0040] On the other hand, if the sensed water level is higher than
the reference, the control unit 104 judges that it is impossible to
open the door and then locks the door using the door lock 106
(S303). If the door was already locked, the control unit 104 leaves
the door locked.
[0041] Subsequently, the control unit 104 informs the user of the
possibility of opening the door through the display unit 107. The
display unit 107 enables to display the possibility of opening the
door, the water level in the washing tub, and locked/unlocked
status of the door. Besides, in case of being unable to open the
door since the water level in the washing tub is high, an alarm
sound generator (not shown in the drawing), an alarm light, or LED
can be used for informing the user, who inputted the door open
command, of the impossibility of opening the door.
[0042] Thus, in case of being unable to open the door since the
water level in the washing tub is high, the user or control unit
104 directly operates such a function of the washing machine as
draining and the like to discharge the water inside. The door is
then released to be open.
[0043] Moreover, in case that the power of the washing machine is
cut off due to blackout or the like when the washing machine
operates, the water will flood out if the door is opened. Hence,
the control unit 104 automatically locks the door using the door
lock the moment the power of the washing machine is cut off.
[0044] In the present invention, the door lock 106 is automatically
controlled by the control unit 104. Yet, in case that the door
needs to be opened while the power of the washing machine is cut
off, the door lock 106 can be manually operated by the user.
[0045] Second Embodiment
[0046] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a door of a
drum type washing machine according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, once a user inputs a user's command for
opening the door of the drum type washing machine to the control
unit 104 through the door open button 103 (S401), the control unit
104 checks whether power of the washing machine is on or off
(S402).
[0048] If the power is off, the control unit 104 locks the door or
leaves the door locked when the door has been already locked
(S403).
[0049] If the power is on, the control unit 104 checks whether the
motor 105 is being driven or whether the washing tub rotates using
the motor sensor 101 (S404).
[0050] If the motor 105 is being driven or if the washing tub
rotates, the control unit 104 locks the door or leaves the door
locked (S403). If the motor 105 is not being driven or if the
washing tub fails to rotate, the control unit 104 checks whether
water is held in the washing tub using the water level sensor 102
(S405).
[0051] If there exists no water in the washing tub, the control
unit 104 unlocks the door to open since there is no possibility of
flooding water (S408). If there exists water in the washing tub,
the control unit 104 controls the water level sensor 102 to sense
the corresponding water level (S406).
[0052] Thereafter, the control unit 104 compares the sensed water
level to a reference set previously (S407). If the sensed water
level is lower than the reference, the control unit 104 judges that
the door can be opened and then unlocks the door to open (S408). In
this case, in order not to flood the water in the tub outside, the
reference is set as a height of the lowest end of the entrance of
the laundry.
[0053] On the other hand, if the sensed water level is higher than
the reference, the control unit 104 judges that it is impossible to
open the door and then locks the door using the door lock 106
(S403).
[0054] Subsequently, the control unit 104 informs the user of the
possibility of opening the door through the display unit 107. The
display unit 107 enables to display the possibility of opening the
door, the water level in the washing tub, and locked/unlocked
status of the door. Besides, in case of being unable to open the
door since the water level in the washing tub is high, an alarm
sound generator (not shown in the drawing), an alarm light, or LED
can be used for informing the user, who inputted the door open
command, of the impossibility of opening the door.
[0055] Thus, in case of being unable to open the door since the
water level in the washing tub is high, the user or control unit
104 directly operates such a function of the washing machine as
draining and the like to discharge the water inside (S409). The
door is then unlocked to be opened (S408).
[0056] Moreover, in case that the door which is locked needs to be
opened, the presents invention enables a user to open the door
manually using a manual switch (not shown in the drawing).
[0057] Accordingly, an apparatus for controlling a door of a drum
type washing machine and method thereof according to the present
invention allows the door to be opened only if there exists no
water in the washing tub or if the water level in the tub is very
low, by which water is prevented from cascading out of the washing
machine when a door is opened. Therefore, the present invention
enables to avoid the inconvenience caused to the user.
[0058] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications
and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *